In her acceptance speech, McDormand put her Oscar on the floor in front of her and addressed executives as the female nominees got to their feet. It was one of the most powerful and symbolic moments of the night.

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“Look around, ladies and gentlemen, because we all have stories to tell and projects we need financed,” she said.

“Don’t talk to us about it at the parties tonight – invite us into your office in a couple of days, or you can come to ours, whatever suits you best – and we’ll tell you all about them.”

She finished her speech with the words: “I have two words to leave you with tonight – inclusion rider.”

Jennifer Lawrence presented her with the best actress award and introduced the category by saying: “It’s a new day in Hollywood, with new challenges ahead for all of us.

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“But none of us will ever forget those who came before us – those who blazed a trail for my generation and those to come.”

The ceremony also marked theMe Tooand Time’s Up campaigns with a segment presented by actresses Ashley Judd, Salma Hayek and Annabella Sciorra, who have all accused Harvey Weinstein of sexual misconduct.

“The changes we are witnessing are being driven by the powerful sound of new voices, of different voices, of our voices, joining together in a mighty chorus that is finally saying: Time’s up,” Judd said.

Host Jimmy Kimmel addressed the issue head-on in his opening monologue, saying the downfall of Weinstein, and the reforms that had begun since, had not come soon enough.

“What happened with Harvey and what’s happening all over was long overdue,” he said. “We can’t let bad behaviour slide any more. The world is watching us.”

Mexico’s Guillermo del Toro won best director for The Shape of Water, which stars British actress Sally Hawkins as a mute cleaning lady who has a relationship with a mysterious river-dwelling creature. It led the Oscar race with 13 nominations.

Allison Janney, hitherto best known for The West Wing, won best supporting actress forI, Tonya

Sam Rockwellwas named best supporting actor for playing a racist policeman inThree Billboards

James Ivory, the director and writer of Merchant Ivory fame, won best adapted screenplay forCall Me By Your Name.At 89, he’s the oldest ever Oscar winner and was born before the first Academy Awards took place

Chile’sA Fantastic Woman, with an acclaimed central performance by transgender actressDaniela Vega, was named best foreign language film

Basketball superstarKobe Bryantwon best animated short forDear Basketball– a retirement letter he wrote to the sport, which he paid veteran Disney artist Glen Keane to animate

British cinematographerRoger Deakinsfinally won an Oscar at the 14th attempt forBlade Runner 2049

Lady Bird and The Post were among the films that were left empty-handed.

Isaac Kaledzi is an experienced and award winning journalist from Ghana. He has worked for several media brands both in Ghana and on the International scene. Isaac Kaledzi is currently serving as an African Correspondent for DW.